Michael Murphy - University of Houston, Houston, TX

Professor: Michael Murphy

Department: Science

College: University of Houston, Houston, TX

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: GEOL1330
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

What a real gem Dr. Murphy is in teaching geology. His lectures are clear, amusing, fun, and hilarious. He's knowledgeable and experienced in the field and thus knows how to convey the material in a thoughtful manner. He's very accessible outside of class and makes it so easy to secure an A through the many opportunities and hints he gives.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: GEO1330
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

wont need book n will not have any homework at all. listen to his lecture clearly and go through power point, its easy to pass. He is really cool and he knows about what he is teaching so its fun to learn from him. Make sure to go to his office atleast before exam and take verbal test with him, its super helpful for A .Easy field trip extra credit.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: GEO1330
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Murphy is a really chill professor. He's super into geology, and it shows. He prints out fill-in-the-blank notes, so just go along with his powerpoints. Look over your notes, study them before the tests, and you should be ok. Take the extra credit field trips! They're a blessing in disguise. Seriously, though, choose Murphy. He's easy and great.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: GEOL1330
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Yo. Just choose him. Just go to class and take notes, no need for a textbook. I failed the first test big-time and started going to his office hours. He is really easy to talk to and he knows his stuff. I should've gotten a B in the class but I think he curved it because I went to his office hours so many times. Awesome professor.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: GEO1330
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Murphy's exams are killer. 200-300 powerpoint slides worth of material and if you don't know all of it by heart, you'll do poorly on the exams. By far the worst class I've taken at UH.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: GEO1330
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

I could have definitely ended with a much higher grade, but I did not really apply myself. He gives you an outline before every lecture and it is a lot of help. His reviews before the test are amazing and he is basically telling you what will be on the test. The only grades you have are 3 exams, but he does offer a lot of extra credit.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: GEOL1330
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

As a freshman geology major, I didn't know what to expect in my first actual Geology course. Dr. Murphy made this class incredibly interesting and me more confident in my choice of major. Dr. Murphy lectures in a very concise manner that's very conversational. He's incredibly knowledgeable and can answer questions efficiently. Tons of extra credit

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: GEOL1330
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

This class really surprised me with the amount of content covered and the detail it was covered in, especially for a 1300 class. There are only 3 tests and the they cover 5-7 chapters each, probably averaging about 150 pages of (textbook) information for each test. If you are someone who tends to cram for tests you will not do well in this class.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: GEO1330
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

WAY too much content to memorize between exams. We're talking 300+ ppt slides every exam. And to add insult to injury, you have to go out of your way to extrapolate what he wants us to memorize on the slides. The slides don't just tell you what you need to memorize. This class is information overload. Surprised it's considered an entry-level course

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: GEOL1330
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Good professor you can tell he likes what he teaches. Class isn't hard at all he uses his slides as a rough outline and talks mainly about what they cover. If you don't study you are screwed since its only 3 test that cover a lot. Lots of extra credit that is easy to do that can bump you up a letter grade. Would recommend highly.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: GEO1330
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Go on the extra credit field trips, read the textbook, pass the tests. attending the classes are totally up to you, but should go maybe once every two weeks for sure so you're up to date with everything thats going on. Easiest science class you'll ever take.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: GEO1330
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Read the textbook, go on the field trips, and pass the tests. Easiest science credit you'll ever take.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: GEOL1330
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Easy class unless you're taking a heavy course load. Just memorization. He can be very unorganized but you'll just have to deal with it. Never graded my makeup exam that I took to raise my grade, but ultimately I don't really care. Take him if you don't want homework. 3 tests and a makeup all multiple choice.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: GEO1330
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He is so passionate about his field of study and makes the students more interested. He is also really funny. don't take his tests too lightly, they weren't as simple as people made them out to be. do not buy the textbook!!! just look at his outlines and go to class bc he tells you what to focus on. visit his office too he is nice.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: GEOL1330
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

He is beyond amazing &I speak the truth bcz I'm one of those students who sat in the second row &still fell asleep in his class. He talks ALOT about the places where he's been &ALWAYS got calls from his mom during class(literally-so cute)There are 3 tests,1 make up &three extra credit ops, study what he says &get the slides(@Fleming) I got a 90 avg

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: GEOL1330
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

His tests are very straightforward and easy if you study. 3 tests and a optional makeup, no final. I showed up to every class, don't think you have to but it helps a lot. Get the powerpoints to study. Very funny guy by the way

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: GEOL1330
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Funniest professor I've had so far. He's really straightforward in his lectures. DO NOT BUY THE BOOK! Everything from the exams will come from lectures. GO TO LECTURE. He tells you what kind of questions or topics will be on the exam. He's super approachable and the amount of extra credit is crazy. Only 3 exams, but they're a little tough so study.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: 1330
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Slipped up by not paying attention to class the first couple of weeks and did poorly on my first test. Had to play the catch up game from there. 3 tests throughout the semester. The final is optional and if you choose to take it, it can replace your lowest test score. Murphy is a good teacher. Just listen and take some notes and stop by his office.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: 1330
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Material can be boring at times, but he is very clear, lots of pictures, extra credit is offered at the end of the semester, MC tests all over, the final is a make-up for 1 of the 3 MC tests study guide helps, very approachable, loves what he teaches, is a well-traveled guy, very respectful and can be silly and funny at times, would recommend

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: 1330
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

YOU DON'T NEED THE TEXTBOOK! Test material comes from the notes. No homework, only three exams and instead of a final he allows you to makeup one of the exams. There are 3 extra credit field trips and also offers alternatives if you can't attend them. I really enjoyed his class. If I had studied a little more I would've easily gotten an A.